OFF! Power Pad Lamp: Review and Giveaway

While it is often nice to know I am loved, I can do without it being from mosquitoes! These pesky critters adore me, and yes I do know it is because I am so sweet, lol. But, I also found out it is really because mosquitoes are attracted to me for several other different reasons according to to the MosquitoMeter Quiz. In the meantime to keep my skin from smelling like pine, and also having welts the size of quarters I am using the OFF! Power Pad Lamp on my back patio. Does it work...Heck Yes, and my skin is proof. We entertained the other night, and I had no bites and wasn't coated in offensive sticky spray to boot. I am a happy camper!

The OFF! Power Pad Lamp can Protect an area up to 15x further than citronella candles or buckets – The heat from the candle activates the repellent pad, releasing proven protection from mosquitoes. In fact, there’s more repelling power in one little pad than 15 citronella buckets combined! Which is approximately the size of my back patio, so perfect.

Refillable – Each candle + pad combo in the OFF! Power Pad Lamp provides up to 4 full hours of protection. Each refill pack contains three pads and three candles, providing up to 12 total hours of repellent per pack. It worked the full length of time that we had friends over for barbecue

Relightable! – The candle and repellent pad of the OFF! Power Pad Lampare designed to work together. So if the candle is extinguished, simply relight the candle to reactivate the repellent pad. When not in use, please follow the proper storage instructions. Prolonged storage of repellent pads in outdoor conditions may decrease effectiveness. Easy to use, and easy to re-use.

Would you like to win your very own OFF! Power Pad Lamp? Thanks to my sponsors at Off and Family Review Network, I have one to give away. This contest is open to United States Residents only, and will close on July 20, 2009 at midnight CST. If you are entering anonymously please attach an email address where you can be reached. The winners are randomly chosen using Random.org.

1. Let me know how you would incorporate the Lamp in your summer outdoors
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Send in the Clowns

I have always wanted to take the girls to the circus, and the one thing that has really held me back is Regan's fear of clowns. When she is scared of something she goes into complete freak-out mode and becomes hysterical. Two years ago though she overcame her fear of costumed characters at Disney, and this summer she said "I think I am ready to deal with clowns now, Mom. I know they are just grownups trying to make kids smile". Well this pronouncement brought joy to my heart because Ringling Brothers is coming to Houston next week and I have procured four tickets in the handicapped seating section for us to enjoy. The girls and I will be there on Thursday the 16th, and I can't wait to tell you all about our experiences.

Want to meet us there? Because that would be the coolest!!!!!!!

Mom Central has also shared with us the awesome deal they have FOUR tickets for 44 dollars!

The details on the discounts are as follows:

Offer #1: Get 4 tickets for just $44 by entering the discount code “MOM” at select ticketing channels. Offer good on all performances, minimum purchase of 4 tickets required; additional tickets above 4 can be purchased at $11 each. Offer not valid on Circus Celebrity Seating, Front Row and VIP seating or can be combined with other offers. Other Restrictions May Apply.

Offer #2: A select amount of Front Row and VIP seats have been reserved for you to buy before they go on sale to the public - just enter the code “MOM” when purchasing those seats. Dates and cities where families can use the national MOM discount code this spring are as follows:

Houston
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® proudly presents Over The Top
July 15-July 26

Anaheim/LA/Ontario
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents ZING ZANG ZOOM
July 8-August 2

San Francisco
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents ZING ZANG ZOOM
August 12-August 23

Dallas/Ft Worth
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® proudly presents Over The Top
July 29-August 16

Sacramento
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents ZING ZANG ZOOM
August 27-August 30

Kansas City
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® proudly presents Over The Top
September 16-September 20

Don’t see your city listed? Visit the Ringling Bros. site to find it. You can also visit Ticketmaster to use the 4 tickets for $44 code, MOM.

Camp For All

This Morning we are heading to Burton, Texas to pick up Regan from her 2nd of three summer camps. Camp For All is really special to us because it is the only one of Regan's camps that is especially geared to Cerebral Palsy. In fact they have a different sponsored week every week, but Regan is at Camp Smiles which is sponsored by United Cerebral Palsy.

Camp for all features camps every week that are geared to very specific disabilities. We have a friend who goes for Epilepsy camp, and another friend who volunteers during the cancer camp. It is nice to have a whole week with kids that are just like you, and Regan feels very much at home there. Another thing that is really special for her is that each camper is assigned a special buddy who usually returns every year to be with their camper. Regan has been with Hillary for two years now and they have a very special relationship that continues through emails throughout the year. We just love Hilary and all the love that she gives to Regan for that one week.

Some of the activities that Regan is getting to participate in are swimming, sports, Zip Line, Rock Wall, Camp dance/karaoke, campfire night, photography, and many more. I have missed her a lot this week, but I am happy knowing she is in a safe loving environment.

Anyway, Rebecca and I are about to get on the road, but first I need to slather us with suntan lotion because a lot of packing and traveling takes place out doors there and I do not want to add wrinkle cream to my list of groceries due to all my sun exposure this summer.

By the way....Regan must have had an incredible time this week because we have not heard from her once. No letters to say she missed me. I know it is the sign of a really good time...but really? not one?

Winner Treasured Classics

Congratulations to my three winners of a set of Treasured Classic Books. I hope this will inspire your family to do more reading together and set of on a fantastic adventure through words and imagination. Thank you everyone who entered and stay tuned for more giveaways to come.

Reason I Love Texas #247

I love Texas ( I know big shocker there) and I have just added another reason to my list. I have decided that 100 degree weather for days on end is the absolute perfect natural appetite suppressants. I know that may sound silly, but I just can't bear to eat a lot and feel full with it being so hot. It just makes things even more unbearable.

So while my yard is baking to a burnt brown shade I on the other hand am shedding pounds due to lack of appetite, and a desire to swim as much as possible just to cool off. I have made my rounds of friends who have pools that I can comfortably ask....and am starting to consider asking acquaintances who just might feel soory for me.

My love for Texas could have been a negative but thanks to my dropped dress size...I am a hot happy camper.

Well I finally read it

I have been hearing about "The Shack" for months and have been in on several discussions with friends about how moving and life-changing this book is. The two weeks ago it was a door prize at my husbands business conference in Houston, and I didn't exactly claw anyone to get to this book.....but it was pretty darn close.

See, I want to feel life changed. I want my earth to be shattered, and every once in a while I need a wake up call. I am happy to say this did all of that. The thing is though, that my friends Cheryl and Christie were both right...everyone who reads it will find their own personal validation and answers to questions they have. It is amazing to me to read something that I want to go back and re-read along with my highlighter to go over passages that were to put it bluntly, incredible.

In the mean time I have loaned it out, and have told several others about it, because when you read something that good it is meant to be shared with others. Did any of you read it? What are your thoughts? ....and, yes, I do know it is a work of fiction but powerful nonetheless.

I am not the mother of a Capri-Sun Thief (sort of)

Today Rebecca and I were swimming at our good friends up the street. They are very sweet to allow us to use the pool when they are at work during the day. Now a month or so ago Rebecca was also told to feel free to help herself to a drink from the garage fridge if she desired (I was not a part of that particular conversation).

Anyway, today Rebecca and I had a pleasant swim and I was working through my water aerobics (staying fit and avoiding lipofuze, yeah me) when Rebecca excused herself from the water. I automatically assumed she was going to use the pool house bathroom. Not a minute later this ear piercing alarm goes off, and Rebecca comes running from the garage holding a Capri-sun.

Well they had set the alarm system because an expensive motorcycle was sitting in the garage....and my child being the little thief that she is had set it off. So while I awaited the imminent arrival of the police, and called our friends to find out how to turn it off. I was ranting to my teary eyed eleven yr old about stealing drinks from people's fridge was still stealing no matter what!

It was not a fun afternoon.....

Winner of Windex

Congratulations to all three of my winners. This is such a great window cleaner and so easy to use. Thank you all for entering and look for more giveaways coming soon.

The Alternative Plan

Well the girls have decided my best option to the ugly house across the street (see two posts down) is to hope like heck that as Hurricane Season approaches that it its closer to our part of south Texas and then the new trailer acroos the street won't survive it.

I guess the plan is to pray for a natural disaster?

I think it is so funny how my girls' brains work....but just to be safe I should probably get an insurance quote
for flood and disaster insurance.....it is after all heading into that time of year.

I think John Mark and I are on the right track by taking it to the zoning commission and then of course it helps that we are friends with everyone on city council. I just can't seem to get past that monstrosity....

Say No to Vacation and Yes to Staycation

With Rebecca and I going earlier this year to Disney, and John Mark having had treks to California and St Louis in the past few months, we have decided not to do a big family vaction this year. So I am in fact doing what millions of others are doing this summer and celebrating with my family by having a Staycation.

To have a succesful Summer Staycation it is important to have a safe and healthy environment. According to a Clorox survey, over 60 percent of the Moms surveyed reported an increase in cleaning around the house as their families now spend more time at home. And, not surprisingly, Moms reported wanting to save time and money for all of this extra cleaning. Mom Central got together with the MommyDocs and came up with a list of Five Tips for Summer Staycations to keep your family safe and your house cleaner during the summer months this year.

Five Tips for Summer Staycations:

Staying Safe at BBQs. According to a recent survey, 70 percent of Moms are cooking more at home and many are likely switching up their meal routine with an outdoor BBQ. Make sure your kids have a safe BBQ experience by keeping them away from the flames and any sharp knives. Also, don't forget to check that your child's hamburger is fully cooked. Always keep a thermometer on hand to be sure all food has reached the appropriate inside temperature.

Keep the Pool Cool and Clean. If your kids love to spend hot afternoons in kiddie pools, you know the importance of cleaning the pool area. Dump out water after each session, and keep the pool clean by disinfecting it with a solution of ¾ cup bleach* to one gallon of water. Don't forget to rinse well and dry thoroughly after each cleaning (never leave any water in the pool). Be sure to always supervise children when they are in or around any water. (* Always remember to read and follow precautions and usage directions before using cleaning products)

Staying Healthy and Hydrated. Spending time in the heat means kids will be more prone to becoming dehydrated. Remind kids to take frequent rest/drink breaks in the shade when playing outside and try to avoid activity during peak sun hours. Encourage fluids before, during, and after outside activities.

Having Peace of Mind at Playgrounds. Sometimes just getting out of the house is the best way to keep it clean, but before letting kids loose at the playground, ensure the safety of the equipment. Swing seats and slides can really heat up in the sun – test them out before your kids hop on to avoid burns. Be sure the playground surface is composed of a soft material to help prevent injury. All playground equipment should be routinely checked for any broken or loose parts. As always, adult supervision is a must at all times!

Saving on Spills. Spending extra time around the house, especially with kids, often means more spills to clean up. Synthetic sponges and kitchen cloths can start to smell and carry bacteria, but you don't have to toss them out after a few uses. One option to reduce bacteria is to sanitize sponges and dishrags by soaking them in a bleach solution (¾ cup of bleach* to a gallon of water) for 5 minutes in the sink. Don't forget to rinse and dry when done. A wet sponge can also be microwaved to get rid of bacteria. (* Always remember to read and follow precautions and usage directions before using cleaning products)

Anyone else have good tips to make my summer staycation successful? I would love to hear them.

The sight that greeted us when we came home

Well living in a small town has many advantages such as knowing everyone, feeling safe, and a slower lifestyle. The main drawback to my particular small town....

The sucky zoning laws!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, as I have been getting ready to put my house on the market and working for months to fix, clear, and prepare it is all for naught, because as I pulled in the driveway Sunday afternoon the lovely field that is across the street from me now contains this:

What was a lovely view across from my average brick home is now a gutted and re salvaged trailer that I am pretty sure will be a tornado magnet. In one weekend my house and property values just plummeted! So I will no longer be tiling the bathroom, investing in copper sinks, or adding crown molding to two rooms; you know all those little things that ad value to your interior to up the price.....

Nobody will care what is inside my house with what looks like a crack house across the street. Needless to say John Mark is livid, and looking for recourse. UGH!
Any suggestions

A Waldemar Weekend

This weekend we spent a lot of time in Hunt, Texas picking up Rebecca from camp. She had a wonderful month with all of her friends from Camp Waldemar where she has attended for the last three years. We had fun cheering for her tribe the Comanches and were proud to wear orange in support. I had missed Rebecca a lot but having no more than Regan did. As soon as my girls saw each other they both were in tears of joy and hugging. It really touched my heart how much my girls genuinely love each other. All weekend Rebecca introduced her friends to Regan , and made sure she felt included in watching field day activities, and hanging out with all the girls. The picture above is Rebecca playing for the Comanche softball team (they won the game against the Aztec). One of my favorite things to see was at the end of the game watching both tribes sing to each other in a show of good sportsmanship and cameraderie. At the end of the session the three tribes gathered (Aztec, Tejas, and Comanche) to see who won the final plaque for overall points for the month. We are thrilled that Comaches are the winning tribe!

It is good to be back from a busy weekend, and really good to have my Becca back with us once again.

Cure for Insomnia

John Mark has been in St. Louis all week, and what that means for me is many sleepless nights. Yes, we have an alarm system so I feel perfectly safe, but the fact that the house just is empty makes me a nervous wreck until i am too tired to care. So for this week I have gone to sleep any where from 12:30-2:30 a.m. and still waking up everyday for daycamp and all my other commitments.

I think my problem is I know I can take something to help me sleep, but sleep medications just make me nervous somehow. In fact almost all medications make me nervous, I think that I have a fear of becoming addicted to things, so I take them in extreme moderation. I know they will do me good, and help heal but I just hesitate. If I have the flu, I wait it out, drink lots of fluids, and sit in steam. If I had something specific or obscure like mesothelioma than I know that a specific Mesothelioma treatment would be recommended. For some reason lack of sleep is one of those things that just doesn't qualify in my mind as medication worthy.

Once again I sit here at 1:00 in the morning and dreading another lack of sleep night. Sunday my sweetheart will be back home with me again and I will be able to sleep again. Let's hope I can function through then.

Wordless/Wordful Wednesday My Celebrity

Yesterday Regan and her cerebral palsy story landed the front page of the newspaper. She is thrilled with her newfound celebrity and is sure TLC will be calling her at anytime to be their next big "Reality TV Star". Here is the link to the article: Regan's Story

Winner of Ficklets

Congratulations on winning the super-cute eyeglasses accessories. I know that you will enjoy them as much as Regan does. I will be getting in contact with my winner and if by chance I have not heard back within three days a new one will be chosen. Thank you all for entering. Stay tuned for more to come!

I'm just a Girl who cain't say No (Oklahoma reference)

Don't get me wrong....I love to be busy, in fact I have tons of energy, and am terrible at being still for too long. With that being said I also tend to say yes to almost everything that comes my way. This week is a great example of how my saying yes to often all comes into play with bad timing.

This weekend we ran to Houston on Friday and Saturday so that we could semi-attend John Marks business conference. We would have loved to have stayed and hung out with all of our friends and been social, but alas we grabbed his fifteen years of service pin, ate dinner and chatted then zoomed off the next morning.

Why the hurry? Well John mark left this morning for St Louis to work all week and then be a groomsman in a wedding of a dear friend of ours on 4th of July weekend. Because of all my commitments he has to attend alone. This week along with my day camp and coaching schedule I have added fireworks stand duties (which is really good for me to focus and relax if only it weren't 100+ degrees in South Texas right now). Although to be honest I am hoping a lot of this incredible sweating outdoors will eliminate any need I have for diet supplements.

Then my friend Lori called to ask if I minded making something for her Bed and Breakfast in the morning because she was in a bind. Which seems like no big deal until I got home and realized I had no eggs (for casseroles or frittatta or quiche) and the grocery store in small town was already closed. So I am trying to be creative with puff pastry, and pray it turns out.

In the midst of all this I have to get Regan packed for camp, and prepare to have two days available next weekend to pick up Rebecca. By the way the picture above is the girls together after five weeks of not seeing each other last summer.